Acid leachable trace metals in beach sediments and its adjacent areas, central Tamil Nadu coast, South India

A set of sixty six surface sediment samples were collected from the beach area and its adjacent region in Central part of Tamil Nadu State, SE Coast of India. The samples were analyzed for organic carbon, carbonates, texture of sediments and Partially Extracted Trace Metals (PETMs) (As, Ba, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Sr, V, Zn). The results indicate that the organic carbon and carbonates in the study area is brought down by the numerous minor rivers in the area and they do not play any role in the deposition of PETMs. The concentration pattern and the comparison of PETMs indicate that the higher values of Fe, Mn, Cr, Cd, Zn, Cu and Ni is due to the direct input from various industries situated in the coastal regions.